National Children's Day is a moment to celebrate the creativity, potential, and resilience of children in Thailand. It’s also a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and what more we can do to ensure every child has the best opportunities for a bright future. Over the years, significant progress has been made—child mortality rates have decreased, school enrolment has increased nationwide and the upcoming implementation of the law against corporal punishment. However, challenges remain, and by working together, we can address them effectively. This year, let’s build on these successes to tackle the issues children face in 2025, ensuring every child experiences a year filled with hope, safety, and opportunity

The Reality Children in Thailand Face

While progress has been made in some areas, Save the Children Thailand’s recent annual study on the children’s need in Thailandhighlights alarming facts, such as:

1. Thailand ranks ninth globally for road traffic death rates. Each year, over 2,600 children die, and 72,000 are injured in road accidents, with motorcycles accounting for 70% of these incidents.

2. Thai children face increasing challenges due to the rising frequency of natural disasters. Thailand ranks as the 7th most at-risk country globally for flooding, a consequence of the ongoing climate

3. Children still face significant level of violence and abuse. Around 2 million cases of child sexual exploitation were reported between 2019 and 2022. Girls are  particularly impacted. 

4. Thai children are some of highest users of online platform in the world which led them to expose to cyberbullying and online threats, yet only 22% of children know how to protect themselves online, leaving the majority vulnerable to online exploitation and grooming.

   
   

Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director of Save the Children Thailand, stated:

Our 2024 annual study on children’s needs in Thailand highlights critical challenges that demand urgent and collective action. Road safety remains a pressing concern, with thousands of children losing their lives or suffering injuries each year. To address this, we must promote the consistent use of helmets and seatbelts, enforce traffic laws, improve road infrastructure, and increase public awareness to make streets safer for children.

The growing impact of climate and environmental crises further threatens children’s well-being. Frequent natural disasters such as severe flooding and harmful levels of air pollution, particularly from PM2.5, disrupt education, harm health, and undermine livelihoods. Urgent measures, including disaster preparedness programs, climate resilience initiatives, and policies to improve air quality, are critical to protecting children and their futures.

At the same time, violence in schools and bullying continue to undermine children’s development and mental health. Building strong child protection systems and creating safe spaces must be a top priority. Child sexual exploitation also remains a severe issue. Strengthening reporting mechanisms, raising community awareness, and ensuring survivors receive proper care and justice are essential steps toward addressing this pervasive problem.

In our increasingly digital world, children are highly vulnerable to cyberbullying and online exploitation. Integrating digital literacy and cybersecurity education into school curriculums, alongside equipping parents and caregivers with the tools to safeguard children online, is vital to creating a safer digital environment.

None of these challenges can be tackled by one sector alone. Collaboration among government, private organizations, civil society, and communities is essential to create a safe, nurturing, and sustainable environment. Together, we can enable every child in Thailand to grow, thrive, and reach their fullest potential as future leaders and contributors to society.

Children Helping Children – A Story of Hope

This year, “Lukrakyou,” a group of 11 female students from Mater Dei School, inspired the nation by raising over 97,287 THB to support Save the Children Thailand’s projects. The students designed and sold T-shirts to help children who lack access to education.

One group member shared their motivation:

“Students are the future of society, and it is our duty to help those who don’t have access to education. We want to be part of creating change. Even if it’s small, we believe children can help other children too.”

The Lukrakyou group used social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to promote their fundraiser. They also spent their after-school hours planning, designing, and coordinating with the T-shirt manufacturer. Despite challenges such as differing opinions within the group and production issues, they worked together to successfully deliver all proceeds to Save the Children Thailand.

This initiative demonstrates the power of youth and serves as an inspiration, showing that children can truly make a difference.

A Call to Action for a Brighter Future for All Children in Thailand

These challenges are complex, and we must start addressing them now. Every moment we delay puts more children at risk. There’s no time to waste—action must begin today, and it must be decisive and collective.

For more information about Save the Children’s projects and ways to support children, please visit https://www.savethechildren.or.th/.

Source of the report:

Child Rights Situational Analysis in Thailand 2024: https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/child-rights-situational-analysis-in-thailand-2024